Born June 3, 1937 in Dothan, AL, he was the son of the late Raymond W. and Mabel (Whitton) Nelson.

A graduate of Slippery Rock University, Mr. Nelson was a history and government teacher in Montgomery County, MD, for twenty-six years. He began his career at Julius West Middle School in 1971, where he taught until 1978. He then transferred to Richard Montgomery High School where he continued to teach until his retirement in 1997.

Prior to teaching, Mr. Nelson served his country honorably in the US Navy while he was stationed in Morocco during the Korean War. He was also employed as a stockbroker in the Washington, DC, metro area.

Jon was a devoted, lifelong Boston Red Sox fan and was a horse-racing enthusiast. He cherished the time spent with family and friends.

Surviving, in addition to his wife, is his daughter, Kelly Tyree and her husband Carl of Gaithersburg; his step-son, Nate Sanders of Phoenix, AZ; his grandchildren, Paige Tyree, Jack Tyree, Josie Tyree, and Xavier Sanders; and his beloved pets, Winslow and Sox.

The funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 22 at St. James Lutheran Church, 109 York St., Gettysburg, with Rev. Jeanette D. Leisk and Rev. Daniel D. Oravec officiating. Viewings will be held between 2 and 4 p.m. as well as between 7 and 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Peters Funeral Home, 321 Carlisle St., Gettysburg. The family will receive friends beginning 10 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Burial will be in Fairfield Union Cemetery.

For those desiring, contributions may be made in Mr. Nelson's memory to The Johns Hopkins Myositis Center – Jon Nelson Research Fund, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, 5200 Eastern Avenue, Mason F. Lord, Center Tower, Suite 4500, Baltimore, MD 21224.

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A video celebrating Mr. Nelson's life can be viewed by clicking the "View Video Tribute" above.

Jon R. Nelson memorial video